Meet the Staff
Our people make the difference.
Barrier-Free's team of experienced staff, interns, and volunteers are dedicated to providing impeccable service. We take the time to get to know you and your families because we believe that, in business, a personal approach is the best approach. We utilize our staff's individual strengths to ensure each person gets the successful outcome they deserve. We are determined to work hard to earn your loyalty every day. We're here to help you succeed, feel loved, and to have fun. At Barrier-Free, we're not just a service organization, we are family-- and we're always accepting new adoptees!
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Britt Burr, Founder, Creative DirectorBritt Burr, baccalaureate of McDaniel College and graduate of Kansas State University, is a Registered Drama Therapist (RDT) with the North American Drama Therapy Association. She specializes in creating and implementing original pieces of theater for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and those on the autism spectrum, as well as teaching multiple workshops and classes geared towards and aided with expressive arts.
Britt is also a full-time Academic Counselor for the Student Accessibly and Support Services department at McDaniel College. Utilizing her 10 years of non-profit experience, Britt introduced Barrier-Free to Carroll County with a desire to improve inclusive programming throughout the community. In Britt’s downtime, she can be found attending poetry gatherings with her wife, Lauren, and enjoying DC’s theater scene as well as volunteering for advocacy groups promoting equal rights and social change. Britt can be reached directly via email at BrittBurr@BarrierFreeMD.com |
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Lauren Burr, Executive DirectorLauren Burr is Barrier-Free's operational expert, working in various roles including but not limited to: inclusive programming development, class instruction, social media management, website design, production and house management and everything in between. Lauren brings 8 years of non-profit experience to the team and her work has been pivotal to Barrier-Free's recent growth and expansion.
Holding a M.Ed from American College of Education and a Certificate in Equity and Excellence from McDaniel College, Lauren's 10 years and expertise in the education field translate directly to her work at Barrier-Free. She is passionate about advocating for and working alongside individuals with varying abilities to create a more inclusive world for all. In addition to her work at Barrier Free, Lauren is a the social media and web specialist for The Barnesville School. Prior to working The Barnesville School, she spent 5 years teaching with Montgomery County Public Schools in various roles that include Kindergarten teacher, 2nd grade inclusion teacher, and ESOL teacher. Lauren is proud to be a part of bringing the Barrier-Free mission to life where we create, express, and achieve together! Lauren can be reached directly via email at LaurenBurr@BarrierFreeMD.com |
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Gary Jolbitado, Assistant Director, Co. AA 40-year story in the making: Gary began performing musicals and plays while in private school. Gary joined Barrier-Free, when asked at the 11th hour to understudy for an actor. Gary only had 3 hours to learn lines and blocking. and, needless to say, it was a hit! At that point, Gary realized his life was missing something – theatre. But, more precisely, helping these very talented people reach their true potential. Since then, Gary's been hooked into Barrier Free and serves as a teaching artist. In addition to his work in the inclusive theater companies, Gary shares his passion for improv by teaching Barrier Free's annual summer improv class. In 2006, Gary was blessed with a son with autism. He can’t say how much working with Barrier-Free has helped him better understand what his son goes through.
You can keep Hollywood or New York! Gary would rather preform with these talented super-stars any day! |
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Kelsey McKenney, Assistant Director, Co. AKelsey McKenney has filled many roles at Barrier-Free including music director, mentor, scene leader, and one-one-one support counselor. She works full-time at Target Community & Educational Services as a Program Coordinator for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatics Academy. Her love of music stems back to being a three year old swinging on the porch and singing songs with her Aunt Mem. Kelsey also gives back to the community in her role as Vice President/Co-founder of Player's on Air, a theatrical arts company based in Carroll County, MD. Kelsey would like to thank God, her family and friends, and the love of her life, John, for all of their continuous support!
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Emma Shipley, Assistant Director, Co. BEmma is a speech-language pathologist (SLP) with a passion for using the performing arts to target and improve communication skills. She earned a dual bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, and Deaf Studies in 2017 and a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology in 2019 both from Towson University. She is currently a Maryland state licensed clinician and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in speech-language pathology from the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association. Emma works full-time for Carroll County Public Schools at the high school level and part-time at SPEECH PATHways in Westminster. MD.
Emma is a self-described “theater nerd” and has participated in over 20 productions in the last ten years. She has worked with Special Olympics Maryland to pilot their first performing arts program titled “Plunge into Improv!”. She has also established a budding improvisational theater program for the special education students in the high school where she works in collaboration with the school’s drama teacher. Emma believes each individual has something unique to communicate to the world. If “all the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players,” what better place to hone our skills than through performance? Emma is so excited to be a part of the Barrier-Free team! |
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Mike Morton, Music Director, Co. A & BMike Morton, aka "Music Mike," is a musician, teacher, and producer from Glenelg, MD. He has been working with adults with disabilities for the past 6 years and loves every minute of it! He got his BA from the University of Maryland and has taught at Music & Arts and the Damon Foreman Music Academy. Over the years he has been busy performing with various groups around the Baltimore/DC area, and producing music in his home studio. In his free time he enjoys playing chess, reading sci-fi, and hanging out with his birds.
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Michael Eaton, Assistant Teaching Artist & Self-Advocate, Co. A & BMichael (Mike) has been performing in Barrier-Free productions for over five years. He serves as a community advocate for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and has also spoken on several disability panels on what it's like to be a person with autism. Michael is involved in a number of other disability groups around the Carroll County area including, but not limited to: Calm Acres, Disability Express, and Autism in Motion. He's very excited to have a larger role in Barrier-Free MD and commits himself to every event and show.
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Evan Darr, Assitant Teaching Artist, Co. AEvan Darr is a sophomore majoring in psychology at McDaniel College. This will be his second year working with Barrier-Free after serving as an intern for the 2019 - 2020 season. Evan has always gone above and beyond the call of duty for Barrier-Free by taking on extra responsibilities that include set painting, social club mentoring, and more. Outside of classes, Evan is a member of the McDaniel tennis team and Alpha Phi Omega - a co-ed service fraternity. In his free time, he likes to hang out with friends and family, watch sports, and listen to some classic rock music. Evan is super excited for his second year working with Barrier-Free!
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Jen Shillingburg, Teaching ArtistJen Shillingburg has been working with Barrier-Free of Maryland since its inception in Westminster and has been assisting Britt in drama therapy for adults with disabilities for a bit longer than that. She is also a baccalaureate of McDaniel College, with degrees in theatre and psychology. When not working with Barrier-Free, she is a life skills coach for individuals with disabilities as well as an after-school musical theatre teacher to middle school students where she and her co-teacher create original scripts for their end-of-term performances.
Jen can be seen in rehearsals, on the stage, and running around backstage during performances moving the scenery, pulling the curtain, aiding actors, and selling raffle tickets during intermission. Barrier-Free is well worth the extra cardio |
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Laura Stall, Production AssistantLaura is very excited to be working with Barrier-Free! She has always been passionate about working with people with disabilities, and after volunteering backstage for a few Barrier-Free shows, she decided she wanted to do more. Laura assists with many production elements including backstage management, rehearsal assisting, and actor support. Laura attends many social clubs, and loves spending time with our Barrier-Free-ers!
Outside of Barrier-Free, Laura works as a counselor for The Arc of Montgomery County. You can also find her writing a story, as she recently graduated with an MFA in Creative Writing from Goucher College. She is always writing, and very excited to use her skills to help Barrier-Free grow! |
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Emilyanne Wachter, BloggerEmily Wachter is the owner and entrepreneur of Photography through Autism. She is a lifelong writer and photographer with a passion for disability rights, social justice, and psychology. She is a college student at Carroll Community College with dreams of being a healthcare social worker. Emily has spoken on a number of disability panels on living with autism and experiences of bullying. She is involved with a number of disability groups in Maryland, including YoungLife Capernaum, Disability Express Group, and Special Olympics. In her free time, she likes spending time with family and friends, coloring, and shopping.
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George Sherlock, Technical DirectorGeorge serves as Barrier-Free's technical director. George can be spotted at McDaniel Theater's sound booth during performances where he expertly manages the sound cues for the shows and provides technical assistance.
--------------------------------------------------- We wish George a very happy retirement as of July 2020 and many years of relaxation ahead! We are so thankful for his commitment to Barrier-Free's growth and success. George, you will be missed and are leaving behind some enormous shoes to fill! Love, Your Barrier-Free Family |
The only thing missing... You!
Barrier-Free 2019 - 2020 Inclusive Theater Season interns and staff.
